As Charlie hurriedly departed from the Pearl River, he made his way to the vegetable market. Time was slipping away, and if he didn’t act quickly, his wife would miss out on breakfast after her long work shift.
Aurous Hill, while steeped in history, is increasingly embracing a modern vibe. The old city’s buildings have undergone significant changes, with many being demolished or remodeled into sleek high-rises that define contemporary urban architecture.
Many traditional crafts and markets that once thrived are now fading, reced by towering shops and generic supermarkets. In the past, street-side hair shavers showcased their remarkable skills, offering head shaves for just two or three dors. However, those days are long gone.
In their ce, upscale beauty salons have emerged, where even less experienced stylists—often referred to as “Tony teachers”—charge exorbitant prices, starting at one or two hundred dors for a simple haircut. Unscrupulous businesses can mislead customers into signing up for memberships that cost thousands, leaving them feeling cheated.
Years ago, horse-drawn carriages and donkey carts were amon sight, as local farmers brought fresh vegetables and fruits to the city each morning, offering affordable produce. <h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">
However, recent regtions have banned animal-drawn carts from the city, leading to a decline in traditional vegetable markets. Now, most people find themselves relying on supermarkets for their groceries.
Unfortunately, the quality of supermarket vegetables leaves much to be desired, and prices can be shockingly high—over ten dors for a single cabbage. This shift has contributed to the ancient city losing its traditional charm. Charlie, in particr, dislikes shopping at supermarkets, as he finds the experience rather dull.
That’s why he often visits a preserved old residential area in the city, home to a vibrant vegetable market. His fondness for this area runs deeper than just its lively atmosphere; it also connects him to memories of his parents, who cherished the old town when they first arrived in Aurous Hill.
The area boasts numerous historic buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republic of China, showcasing architectural styles distinctly different from those found in the north, much to his parents’ delight.
Driven by their love for traditional culture, his parents rented an old house in the old town. After renovations by his father, their family enjoyed afortable home. However, tragedy struck when his parents had an ident, and Charlie was ced in an orphanage. Often, he would sneak out with friends Caleb and Lisa to revisit the old town. While they thought Charlie was merely looking for adventure, he was actually yearning for the warmth of his parents.
After his parents’ tragic fate, the family home was rented out to various tenants for several years until it was purchased by a real estate investor awaiting demolition to capitalize on its appreciation.
The house, along with neighboring buildings, waster designated as a historical preservation zone, preventing any demolition or reconstruction. Charlie learned that the investor was part of a real estate spection group based in Eastcliff. Although the old house was stuck in limbo, it held little value for the investor, leading to its prolonged vacancy.
Eventually, the investor faced legal troubles due to involvement in illegal fundraising abroad, resulting in the court sealing the property.<fn132c> Updates are released by FindN0vel</fn132c>
Rumors of an auction surfaced two to three years ago, but due to theplexity of the case, it has yet to enter foreclosure proceedings.
The vegetable market that Charlie frequented was close to his old family home, so he decided to take a slight detour to see it for himself.
While pedaling along, Charlie noticed a Rolls Royce parked in front of the weathered old house.
From the passenger seat emerged an elderly gentleman—the longtime butler of the Thorne family from Eastcliff, who hade to Aurous Hill.